On Monday, a guest died and several others were injured in an incident involving the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, located about 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Atlanta. Witnesses reported seeing a man fall from the ride.
Witnesses reported that a man fell from the attraction during the incident. Following the event, Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chair Lisa Cupid addressed the tragedy, stating, "I cannot imagine the horror the patrons and employees witnessed today, and my heart aches for the family who lost a loved one." A Six Flags spokesperson also responded, stating, "We are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today."
1 dead, several injured in incident on Six Flags ride https://t.co/Kkfx4FlWhY https://t.co/V6NEhvShgy
Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chair Lisa Cupid expressed condolences to patrons, employees, and the victim's family following the Monday incident. Her statement addressed those present at the Georgia theme park when the death and injuries took place on the Goliath attraction.
That retirement came amid lawsuits alleging that the X2 roller coaster caused serious brain injuries.
Following the incident, Cobb County police launched an investigation into the fatal event at Six Flags Over Georgia. Detectives with the department's major crimes unit will investigate the incident. Officials have noted that details regarding the specific cause of death and the nature of the injuries remain unconfirmed as the police inquiry moves forward.
1 Dead, Several Injured In Six Flags Georgia Roller Coaster Incident—9 Rides Shut Across 6 Parks https://t.co/qLCOiI29hC https://t.co/X6QDbQDtbC
In the wake of the incident, Six Flags took precautionary action by temporarily closing nine roller coasters across six amusement parks. The company enacted the closures out of an abundance of caution while Cobb County authorities examine the circumstances surrounding the Goliath coaster.
The decision to shut down the nine rides came less than two weeks after Six Flags Magic Mountain in Southern California announced that it would retire its famous X2 roller coaster. That retirement came amid lawsuits alleging that the X2 roller coaster caused serious brain injuries. Meanwhile, Six Flags continues to face scrutiny following other recent incidents and lawsuits at its amusement parks, including Magic Mountain.
One dead, several injured in Goliath roller coaster incident at Six Flags over Georgia READ: https://t.co/2Du7EpQYrt https://t.co/2Du7EpQYrt
The Goliath coaster, built in 2006, can reach speeds of 113 km/h (70 mph) and a maximum height of 61 meters (200 feet). The ride operates at the Six Flags Over Georgia location outside Atlanta, where the fatal fall occurred on Monday.
According to the Doan Law Firm, which specializes in amusement park accidents, Monday's death would be at least the seventh fatality to occur at Six Flags Over Georgia. The firm noted that past events include a 2006 incident in which a man suffered a likely heart attack while riding the Goliath coaster.
Beyond the Goliath incident, Six Flags faces ongoing scrutiny over recent events and legal challenges across its properties. The lawsuits alleging brain injuries on the X2 coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain represent part of the wider legal pressure the operator has encountered in recent weeks.
Cobb County police detectives with the major crimes unit continue to investigate the incident on the Goliath roller coaster. Across Six Flags' amusement parks, nine roller coasters across six properties remain temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution, as officials work to determine the facts of the fatal Monday incident.